1. A physical geography: The soils here, although a very short distance from our other stops, was far more stable by comparison. Due to the additional support of vegetation and a more stable soil type, the land here lacks the dramatic characteristics of the canyons. This stop serves as a reminder of what this area would probably look like today had the poor farming practices which created this dramatic and wondrous site never occurred. Although this site is beautiful, we must always remember that our actions result in environmental consequences which can, at times, even result in the loss of the ground underneath our feet.
2. Soil characteristics:
Color: Reddish yellow (5YR,6/8)
Texture: Sandy Clay
Soil moisture content: 3.8%
Organic content: less than 3.2%
pH: 6.1
3. GPS points: 32*04'16.69"N 84*54'39.27"W
This is the new Church erected in 1859, its located just across the street of the original church that was swallowed by the violent erosion and land slide at the beginning of the canyon formation. With a commencement of a change in the land use pattern of the area from intense cultivation to a more vegetative/forested type, the people were able to halt the the erosion from progressing to this location. Trees and grasses anchor the soil with their roots keeping it from being washed out, in the process they stabilize the soil and help in soil profile development.
The different land conservation activities (discussed in the overview) implemented after the area was announced as a State Park, resulted in the formation of a stable soil able to support this huge building and luscious vegetation as shown above and below.
QUESTION: "What differences do we see in the landscape here as compared to the other stops? What are the reasons for these differences?
Stop 4 - Church
1. A physical geography: The soils here, although a very short distance from our other stops, was far more stable by comparison. Due to the additional support of vegetation and a more stable soil type, the land here lacks the dramatic characteristics of the canyons. This stop serves as a reminder of what this area would probably look like today had the poor farming practices which created this dramatic and wondrous site never occurred. Although this site is beautiful, we must always remember that our actions result in environmental consequences which can, at times, even result in the loss of the ground underneath our feet.
2. Soil characteristics:
3. GPS points: 32*04'16.69"N 84*54'39.27"W
QUESTION: "What differences do we see in the landscape here as compared to the other stops? What are the reasons for these differences?
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